Detector Life Span

[Tall Paul]

I am currently working with a residential home that has a fire alarm system dating back to the '80s.  The servicing company have stated in their most recent report that the detector heads should be changed every 10 years to comply with the British Standard.

I know that many manufacturers put a 10-year life on their detectors, and that replacement of older heads would be wise, but a full replacement of the many heads in this instance would place a heavy financial burden on the occupier.  The inspection report did not identify any failures and the detectors themselves were found to be ok.  I have searched the BS's and EN's but can't find a reference to 10 year replacement requirements (nor do a feel that such a requirement should exist because replacement should be subject to need, not fixed time spans).

My own recommendation will be that detectors should be replaced over a phased period of years, or as and when they start to fail.  Can anyone let me know if I am missing the mark with the standards?

[Wiz]

There subject has been discussed a number of times on Firenet previously. You may use the site search facility for previous posts.

I can confirm that BS 5839 does not include any specific recommendations for lifespan of any equipment. How could it? How could it cope with a manufacturer producing a detector with a recommended lifespan of 20 years and another with a recommended lifespan of only 5 years. Would would BS then recommend?

Therefore the BS recommends that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific equipment used in any particular installation.

 The manufacturers base their recommendations on the recommended service intervals of BS for specific equipment types. For example a smoke detector may have a recommended lifespan of 10 years based on the low probability of detectors failing within a the 12 month maximum testing/service interval of BS for up to 10 years. After 10 years they consider the risk of failure between service visits to be too great.

Please be aware however that there may be implications in ignoring manufacturer's advice for equipment lifespan even if the equipment appears to be functioning o.k. at the time of a test. If a building burns down you can be sure that the insurance company will look for ways to avoid paying out. Equipment used that is beyond the manufacturer's recommended lifespan could be just the excuse they are lokking for.

[Davo]

Tall Paul

Nothing more to say, Dr Wiz says it all really.



davo

[wee brian]

Thinking out loud.

If the premises was big enough, would it be worth taking a few detectors and testing them (in a proper test lab-against the standard) to see if they are still functioning?

I can understand why people might be reluctant to replace the detectors. Some might think that manufacturers lifespans was just a way of generating regular repeat sales.

[Wiz]

It's an idea Wee Brian. I've known 30 year old smoke detectors to work perfectly. If they are analogue addressable detectors then the information and testing facilities from the cie is quite extensive, as well. They might not need any other testing.

But that is not the problem. I was always assuming that the detectors test o.k. anyway.

The problem is whether the 'relevant persons' and, particularly the insurance company, are happy to ignore the manufacturers maximum lifespan recommendations against a test. If they are happy I can't see a problem. They might ask for more regular tests i.e every six months but it could still be financially worth it.

[Tall Paul]

That's sound advice, thank you Wiz.

Paul